Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction kicked off the year in grand style, capturing the attention of collectors worldwide and raking in over $7.1 million in sales. Vintage sports cards and memorabilia took center stage, with iconic pieces fetching top dollar and setting new records in the industry.
The auction was dominated by the legendary Babe Ruth, with three 1933 Goudey cards graded PSA NM/MT 8 stealing the spotlight. Combining for a staggering total of nearly $700,000, the standout among them was the #149 card showcasing a red background, which commanded an impressive $316,736. A rare advertising card from around 1920 featuring Ruth and Carl Mays, graded SGC 3, sparked a bidding frenzy before finally selling for $95,860. Other notable Ruth items included a 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery card graded PSA 5, fetching $52,102, and a 1932 U.S. Caramel card graded PSA 6.5, which brought in $48,508.
The top non-Ruth item at the auction was a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, graded PSA 7, setting a new record for its grade by selling for an impressive $173,794. As part of a set break, the card contributed to a collection that exceeded $850,000 in total sales.
1952 Topps cards were shining stars at the event, with three cards graded PSA 8 each surpassing six figures. An Eddie Mathews high-number card led the pack, commanding $123,484, while Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards also garnered significant attention from bidders.
Mickey Mantle cards remained highly sought after by collectors, with a rare 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 selling for $33,586. Additionally, a complete 1959 Bazooka box featuring Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, achieved $18,575. Notable Mantle highlights included a 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM at $29,012, a 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 at $38,879, and a 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 at $16,886. Four PSA 10 Bazooka Mantle cards from 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1966 collectively brought in close to $50,000.
Among other standout sales were a 1957 Topps Willie Mays PSA 9 fetching $58,961, and a 1957 Topps Whitey Ford PSA 10 selling for $56,153. Hockey enthusiasts were thrilled with the sale of a 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card, graded PSA 10, which commanded $72,455. Football cards also saw strong interest, with notable sales including a 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 at $31,558, a 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 at $19,018, and a 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 at $20,432.
The auction also featured unique memorabilia finds that captivated bidders, such as a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s selling for $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription fetching $20,934, a handwritten letter from Mantle’s 1951 rookie season also selling for $20,934, and a Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger decal bat from the early 1910s realizing $16,121.
Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction set a high standard for the year 2025, breaking records and offering collectors the chance to own pieces of sports history. The success of the auction signals a promising year ahead for sports memorabilia enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to acquire iconic items.
